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This Kentucky Wedding Is What Horse-Country Dreams Are Made Of

Melissa Paniagua

Melissa Paniagua is a freelance writer with a background in weddings and styling and an appreciation for all things innovative, artful and well-designed. She believes that everyday moments are a cause for celebration and loves green juice and coffee in equal measure. Follow her daily adventures on Instagram.

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Mar 24, 2019

This Kentucky Wedding Is What Horse-Country Dreams Are Made Of

Savannah Pepper and Logan Collier met through college friends, fell in love over Sonic Drive-In breakfast burritos, and spent every waking moment together exploring their favorite Kentucky traditions. So when considering where to host their wedding, they had only one option: Horse country! After searching for their ideal wedding venue, the pair chose to pay homage to Collier’s childhood memories and their local roots and say “I do” on the Keeneland Clubhouse Lawn, which offered a blend of historic and modern elements wrapped in the feeling of home. With the help of their friends and family, this couple’s equestrian wedding, captured by the team behind Laura Bodnar Photography, ended up being what dreams are made of.

Keeneland — with its swoon-worthy limestone, paddock ivy, and the famous sycamore tree — has a special place in both of their hearts, so there was no doubt that this would be where they would share the joy of their big day. “It’s a place Logan and his late father frequented together growing up, as his grandfather worked at Keeneland for many years,” Pepper says. “Plus, he and I spent many weekends at the track during the fall and spring meets, betting with money that we didn’t have and soaking up the scenery.”

When it came down to her something blue, the bride took it up a notch with an heirloom piece from her great-grandmother’s collection. “I went through shelves and rows of compartmentalized jewelry until I found a stunning aquamarine ring,” she says. “I had no blue incorporated anywhere else in my decor, so it made for the perfect accent.”

Staying with the hometown theme, Pepper wore a classic sweetheart dress with a mid-length veil from a local boutique in western Kentucky. To include a touch of “wow” into her look, the team behind Thomas Ripley Flowers created a one-of-a-kind bouquet, with ferns mixed with dramatic blooms.

And this chic set of ‘maids proves that white really is a fabulous shade for the wedding party. (No faux pas here.)

Collier and his crew opted for fern-filled boutonnieres that complemented the bride’s and bridesmaids’ bouquets.

Because they wanted to keep family and friends at the forefront of their nuptials, there was no question when it came to who would officiate the ceremony, which was held right in front of the track. The couple’s close friend made a natural choice. “Every detail was individualized and fine-tuned down to the sentence,” Pepper said.

The couple kept that family feeling going with their centerpieces, too. At their respective homes during the leadup to the wedding, they gathered some of their fave childhood photos to be used as part of their centerpieces. “It wasn’t only special to add this component to our decor, but the time we spent with family handpicking each photograph is something we’ll never forget,” Pepper said. Practical and personal? We’re in!